Skin treating machine



July 26, 1955 s. FRIEDMAN 2,713,785

SKIN TREATING MACHINE Filed June 10, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

SAMUEL FRIEDMAN ATTORNEY July 26, 1955 Filed June 10, 1953 S. FRIEDMAN SKIN TREATING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

SAMUEL FRIEDMAN ATTORNEY Unite States Pate SKIN TREATHJG MACHINE Samuel Friedman, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Reliable Machine Works, lno, Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Appiication June 10, 1953, Serial No. 360,635

14 (Iiaims. (Cl. 69-27) This invention relates to a skin treating machine and more particularly to a machine for treating, e. g., ironing or electrifying, animal pelts or skins. 1

In one type of such skin or fur treating machine the skin or pelt is placed or laid on to a flexible work support which is movable to carry the skin towards a rapidly rotating drum, the skin or pelt being operated upon by the drum to iron or electrify the skin, the rotation of the drum also being effective for feeding the pelt or skin through the machine. In a well-known form of this type of machine the flexible work support is operated manually, usually by means of a foot pedal, the work carrier usually consisting of a pivoted cradle which carries the flexible work support, the pivoted cradle being movable to bring the work support and skin carried thereby towards and into contact with an arcuate section of the rapidly rotating drum.

It is the prime object of the present invention to improve the structure and operation of this type of skin treating machine.

A serious difficulty that is encountered in the operation of currently used machines of this type is that the operator has to exert an unusual degree of force or pressure on the manually operated element, such as the foot pedal, to bring and maintain the work support and the pelt carried thereon into the desired contact and engagement with the rapidly rotating drum and particularly to bring about a consistent pressure engagement between the skin and the drum over a fairly extensive arcuate section of the drum. The difliculty appears to be due to the type of cradle structure heretofore and currently in use and to the fact that the rapidly rotating drum exerts a counter or reactive force against the cradle and work support which is moved towards the drum, with the result that an unusual amount of operating force or pressure is required to be exerted in the operation of the machine. This difliculty is also tied up with the necessity of designing the machine with relatively heavy parts, with the result that the machine is more cumbersome than is dictated by the requirements. Operating these machines under these undesired conditions also materially reduces the effective life of the machine.

The machine of the present invention is constructed and designed to effectively overcome and solve this maior difficulty.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing objects and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention is directed to the skin treating machine as sought to be defined in the appended claims, taken together with the following specification and the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front eievational view of the skin treating machine of the present invention with parts taken in cross-section on the plane of line 11 of Fig. 2, and other parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a view of a part of the same taken in the plane of line 3-3 of Fig. l; and

ice

Fig. 4 is a view taken on an enlarged scale of the essentially improved features of the machine.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, and having reference first to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the skin treating machine comprises a frame and stand F for the machine parts supporting a rearwardly positioned and encased motor M, a frontally positioned rotatable ironing drum D, a work-supporting table T, on which the work such as the pelt or for is placed, the said table being provided with an opening through which is movable a work support S, the said work support being operable from a normal relaxed position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, to an operative and drum-engaged position, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The work support S is man ually operated as by means of a pedal mechanism, generally designated as P. In the operation of this type of machine the work W (Fig. 3), such as a pelt or fur, is placed on the table T and over the work support S and the pedal P is operated to move the work support and the fur or pelt toward and into engagement with the rapidly rotating drum D, which is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 3, the for or pelt being thereby subjected to the treatment of the rotating drum, the said drum being also eifective for feeding the work through the machine.

The drum D is an ironing or electrifying device which is either gas-fired or electrically heated to ironing temperatures, and preferably this drum is customarily channeled transversely as at 10, 10 to provide in the drum ironing blades which also function to beat the hair or for to straighten and electrify the same. The drum D is suitably mounted in trunnion bearings 12, 12 in the machine frame and the drum is rotated at high speeds from the motor M operating through a pulley and belt means generally designated as 14, suitably encased by the housing 16. The drum D is also partially housed by a cover 18 which connects customarily to a chute and a blower system for carrying away the extricated hair and dirt from the fur.

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, the mechanism for bringing the skin to the rotatable drum for the skin to be operated upon and to be fed by the rotation of the drum comprises essentially the work support S which con sists preferably of a flexible work support and carrier 2% made of metal chain over which is laid a sheet of felt 22 upon which the skin or fur is adapted to be placed and on which it is carried towards and to the drum, the said flexible work support being combined with movable elements located at oppositely spaced portions x and y of said work support and engaging the same for effecting the desired movement thereof, this combined with means for rnoving these elements toward peripherally spaced portions of the drum whereby the work and the skin carried thereby are brought to the drum and are wrapped about a considerable arcuate portion of the drum, as clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

The operating mechanism for the flexible work support comprises, in its essence, a first lever L having a point of application bearing on the front part of said work support, such as the point x, and a second lever L having a point of application bearing on the rear of said work support, such as the point y. These levers engage the work support for effecting the desired movement thereof. When these levers are operated their points of application x and y move toward corresponding peripherally spaced portions of the drum D.

The lever L is the main lever and structurally cornprises a cradle 24 formed by two side pieces 26 and 23 united at the front by a curved end piece 30, the side pieces terminating at their rear ends in hub bearings 32 and 34, these side pieces being suitably braced by a connecting piece 36. The hub bearings are pivoted on a pintle shaft 38 which defines the pivoted axis A of the lever L. The pintle shaft is borne by two hang plates 40, 40 mounted on the opposite sides of the machine frame. The secondary lever L comprises a second cradle 42 made up of two side pieces 44 and 46 connected together by a plate 48, the side pieces being pivoted the studs 50 of the hang plates 40, 4d, the studs defining the pivoted axis B of the lever L", a roller 52 being removably mounted in cutouts formed at the ends of the side plates 44 and 46, as clearly shown in Figs 3 4 of the drawings.

The flexible work support S is mounted on and extends over both cradles 24 and 42 in the following manner: At the front the flexible chain 2 and the sheet felt 22 are attached by means of bolts 54 through the end piece to the side pieces 26 and 28 of the cradie 254 while the rear the elements of the flexible wcrk support are ree to move over the roller 52, the end of the chain 2% being connected to a tension spring 56 anchored at one end thereto and at the other end to an adiustable arm 58 pivotally movable on the frame and adjustable by means of a set screw 50. The sheet felt 22 is not anchored at its rear and lies freely at its rear on the flexible chain 29. The spring 56 functions to constantly maintain the work support S taut in all positions of its movement.

The main lever L and the second lever L", which are the cradies 24' and 4-2, are movable in the operation of the work support in opposite rotative directions, as indicated respectively by the arrows 6.2 and 64 (Fig. 4). These lovers are moved so that the point of application 2-: of the main lever moves at a greater speed and to a greater extent than the point of application y of the second lever. Preferably, these levers or cradles are interconnected so that the movement of the main lever effects the operation of the second lever, the parts being so proportioned and rranged whereby the described differential movements of the points of application x and y may be achieved. The interconnecting means may preferably comprise two screw adjustable posts 66, 56 mounted on the lever side pieces 26 and 28 engaging by ball and socket means 68 the plate 48 of the lever 42. With this construction it will be apparent from Figs. 1 and 4 that when the main lever or cradle is moved upwardly in the direction of the arrow 70 (Fig. l) the main lever L will be moved in the direction of the arrow 62 and it, in turn, will move the second lever (L") in the opposite rotative direction, namely, in the direction of the arrow 64.

The essential result of this structure and operation is that the flexible work support S is moved or elevated at two oppositely positioned points and at the desired cooperative rate toward oppositely positioned regions of the drum whereby the work support S and the work W thereon are moved toward and are arcuately wrapped about a considerable peripheral portion of the drum with a uniform spacing between the work support with its work and the peripheral face of the drum. A condition for effecting a consistent and uniform pressure between the work and the drum over an extended area is attained. Moreover, the operating force or pressure required to effect this compound movement of the lever system L and L is found to be substantially less than that required in current machines, the operation being such that while at the point of application x, the drum with the moving work W at the region of the arrow 72 (see Fig. 4) produces a force which is in opposition to the force of application indicated by the arrow 62, the drum at the region of the arrow 74, together with the work it, is

moved to provide a force which aids and serves to uplift the lever L, thereby resulting in relieving some of the pressure normally required for this operation.

The pedal means P for operating the described lever or cradle system comprises the foot-operated lever or pedal 6, a remote end of which is connected to the adjustable link 78, the operating end of said link being pivotally connected to a bracket 8t) affixed to the side pieces of the lever L. Depression of the pedal thereby elevates the lever L, which, as already described, in turn, elevates the lever L", both moving upwardly in the opposite rotative directions, as described. Return motion of the parts is effected by the extension spring 82 anchored at its opposite ends to the pedal lever and link 78, and the return motion is limited or stopped by an arm 34 connected to the bracket 80, the stop finger of which engages a set screw adjustable stud 36 mounted on the machine frame. As shown in Fig. 1 the stud 65 may be adjusted to a position so that the parts are returned to the condition shown in Fig, l in which the work support S is flush with the surface of the supporting table T.

The use and operation of the skin treating machine of the present invention and the several advantages thereof in solving the described difiicuities will, it is believed,

be fully apparent from the above detailed description thereof.

The skin or fur W is placed upon the table T and on to the work support 3 and after heating up the drum D the 1 motor M is set into operation and the pedal 76 is depressed. The work support S is thereby moved from the position shown in Fig. l to that shown in Fig. 4. The rotation of the drum D tends to pull the fur into the machine and the operator controllably permits the feeding of the fur slowly, then releases the pedal and shifts the fur to another position, also rotating the fur in order to iron all edges uniformly. The ironed or treated fur moves into the weil S8 of the machine and gravitates to the chute or 92 which forms part of the machine frame, the finished work being removed from either side of the machine.

It will be apparent that many changcs may be made in the structure of the machine and its component parts without departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the following claims.

I claim:

l. A skin treating machine comprising a rotatable drum for treating the skin, and mechanism for bringing the skin to the rotatable drum to be operated upon and to be fed by the rotation of the drum, said mechanism comprising a flexible work support upon which the skin is adapted to be placed and on which it is carried towards the drum, movable elements located at oppositely spaced portions of said work support and engaging the same for effecting movement thereof, one of said movable elements being movable towards said drum in one rotative direction and the other of said movable elements being movable towards said drum in the opposite rotative direction, and means for moving said elements towards peripherally spaced portions of the drum whereby the work support and the skin carried thereby are brought to the drum and are arcuately wrapped about the drum.

2. A skin treating machine comprising a rotatable drum for treating the skin, and mechanism for bringing the skin to the rotatable drum to be operated upon and to be fed by the rotation of the drum, said mechanism comprising a flexible work support upon which the skin is adapted to be placed and on which it is carried towards the drum, movable elements located at oppositely spaced portions of said work support and engaging the same for effecting movement thereof, one of said movable elements being movable towards said drum in one rotative direction and the other of said movable elements being movable towards said drum in the opposite rotative direction, means for moving said elements towards peripherally spaced portions of the drum whereby the work support and the skin carried thereby are brought to the drum and are arcuately wrapped about the drum, and means for constantly maintaining the work support in a taut condition.

3. A skin treating machine comprising a rotatable drum for treating the skin, and mechanism for bringing the skin to the rotatable drum to be operated upon and to be fed by the rotation of the drum, said mechanism comprising a flexible work support upon which the skin is adapted to be placed and on which it is carried towards the drum,

a movable element located at the front of said work support, a movable element located at the rear of said work support, said movable elements being movable at diiferent speeds and for different extents, and said elements engaging the work support for effecting movement thereof, and means for moving said elements towards peripherally spaced portions of the drum whereby the work support and the skin carried thereby are brought to the drum and are arcuately wrapped about the drum.

4. A skin treating machine comprising a rotatable drum for treating the skin, and mechanism for bringing the skin to the rotatable drum to be operated upon and to be fed by the rotation of the drum, said mechanism comprising a flexible work support upon which the skin is adapted to be placed and on which it is carried towards the drum, a first lever having a point of application bearing on one part of said work support, and movable arcuately in one direction towards said drum, a second lever having a point of application bearing on a second part of said work support, and movable arcuately in the opposite direction towards said drum, the points of application of said levers engaging the work support for effecting movement thereof, and means for moving said levers to move their points of application towards peripherally spaced portions of, the drum whereby the work support and the skin carried thereby are brought to the drum and are arcuately wrapped about the drum.

5. A skin treating machine comprising a rotatable drum for treating the skin, and mechanism for bringing the skin to the rotatable drum to be operated upon and to be fed by the rotation of the drum, said mechanism comprising a flexible work support upon which the skin is adapted to be placed and on which it is carried towards the drum, a first lever having a point of application bearing on one part of said work support, and movable arcuately in one direction towards said drum, a second lever having a point of application bearing on a second part of said work support, and movable arcuately in the opposite direction towards said drum, the points of application of said levers engaging the work support for elfecting movement thereof, means for moving said levers to move their points of application towards peripherally spaced portions of the drum whereby the Work support and the skin carried thereby are brought to the drum and are arcuately wrapped about the drum, and means for constantly maintaining the work support in a taut condition.

6. A skin treating machine comprising a rotatable drum for treating the skin, and mechanism for bringing the skin to the rotatable drum to be operated upon and to be fed by the rotation of the drum, said mechanism comprising a flexible work support upon which the skin is adapted to be placed and on which it is carried towards the drum, a first lever having a point of application bearing on the front part of said work support, and movable-arcuately in one direction towards said drum, a second lever having a point of application bearing on a rear part of said work support, and movable arcuately in the opposite direction towards said drum, the points of application of said levers engaging the work support for effecting movement thereof and means for moving said levers to move their points of application towards peripherally spaced portions of the drum whereby the work support and the skin carried thereby are brought to the drum and are arcuately wrapped about the drum.

7. A skin treating machine comprising a rotatabl drum for treating the skin, and mechanism for bringing the skin to the rotatable drum to be operated upon and to be fed by the rotation of the drum, said mechanism comprising a flexible work support upon which the skin is adapted to be placed and on which it is carried towards the drum, a first lever having a point of application bearing on one part of said work support, a second lever having a point of application bearing on a second part of said work support, means interconnecting said levers whereby the first lever engages and operates the second lever, the points of application of said levers engaging the Work support for eifecting movement thereof, and means for moving the first lever to move the points of application of both levers towards peripherally spaced portions of the drum whereby the work support and the skin carried thereby are brought to the drum and are arcuately wrapped about the drum.

8. In the skin treating machine of claim 7, a foot pedal mechanism connected to the first lever for operating the same.

9. The skin treating machine of claim 7, in which the means interconnecting the levers is an adjustable means.

10. In the skin treating machine of claim 7, resilient means effective on the flexible work support for constantly maintaining the same in a taut condition.

11. A skin treating machine comprising a rotatable drum for treating the skin, and mechanism for bringing the skin to the rotatable drum to be operated upon and to be fed by the rotation of the drum, said mechanism comprising a flexible work support upon which the skin is adapted to be placed and on which it is carried towards the drum, a main pivoted cradle movable at the front of the drum, a second pivoted cradle movable at the rear of the main pivoted cradle and relatively to said drum, the flexible work support being mounted on and extending over the said cradles, and means for moving the said cradles in oppositely rotative directions whereby the work support and the skin carried thereby are brought to the drum and are arcuately wrapped about the drum.

12. A skin treating machine comprising a rotatable drum for treating the skin, and mechanism for bringing the skin to the rotatable drum to be operated upon and to be fed by the rotation of the drum, said mechanism comprising a flexible work support upon which the skin is adapted to be placed and on which it is carried towards the drum, a main pivoted cradle movable at the front of the drum, a second pivoted cradle movable at the rear of the main pivoted cradle and relatively to said drum, the flexible work support being mounted on and extending over the said cradles, means for moving the said cradles in oppositely rotative directions whereby the work support and the skin carried thereby are brought to the drum and are arcuately wrapped about the drum, and means effective on said work support for constantly maintaining the same in a taut condition on said cradles.

13. A skin treating machine comprising a rotatable drum for treating the skin, and mechanism for bringing the skin to the rotatable drum to be operated upon and to be fed by the rotation of the drum, said mechanism comprising a flexible work support upon which the skin is adapted to be placed and on which it is carried towards the drum, a main pivoted cradle movable at the front of the drum, a second pivoted cradle movable at the rear of the main pivoted cradle and relatively to said drum, the flexible work support being mounted on and extending over the said cradles, the said cradles being pivoted to move in oppositely rotative directions, means interconnecting the cradles whereby the main cradle engages and operates the second cradle, and means for moving the main cradle whereby the work support and the skin carried by both cradles are brought to the drum and are arcuately wrapped about the drum.

14. The skin treating machine of claim 13 in which the means interconnecting the cradles is an adjustable means. I

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,633,731 Friedman Apr. 7, 1953 

